The
Amberley Partnership
School Direct 2016
Information for applicants
Welcome to The Amberley Partnership!
In this brochure you will find information about all the schools and academies involved in the Partnership, what they have to offer you as a trainee teacher and how you can apply. We would also encourage you to have a look at our websites and come along and see us during our Open Week - Monday 9th to Friday 13th November 2015. Please contact the schools to make an appointment during the week. Contact details are provided with the information about each school/academy. You will have the opportunity to look around the schools, meet some of the Senior staff, meet the amazing children that we work with, and ask any questions you may have to ensure that you make the right choice to match your training needs. We look forward to meeting you!
The Amberley Partnership
The Amberley Partnership is a group of schools and academies across a wide geographical area: Yeovil, Gloucester, Swindon, and 3 schools on the outskirts of Bristol – Nailsea, Bradley Stoke and Patchway. All the schools have been rated Good or Outstanding at their most recent Ofsted inspection and also at their most recent Diocesan Inspection. Together they offer an opportunity to those students who would like to have experience of working in a faith school to train in an inspirational, imaginative and nurturing environment. Schools welcome applicants of any faith or of no faith at all. As with any setting, the expectation would be that students would be supportive of the school’s ethos and values. Each of the schools/academies has joined the group because they believe they have an ideal training ground for new teachers and are committed to supporting the next generation of educators to ensure the continuation of outstanding provision for our localities. Although this is our first year working with School Direct all schools/academies involved in the partnership have a proven track record of providing Initial Teacher Training to a high standard. Experienced mentors work in each school where you will receive invaluable support.
What does the Amberley Partnership have to offer you?
Together the schools/academies can offer a wide range of experiences for you as each setting has its own strengths and characteristics as it seeks to provide the best for the different communities they serve. Many of them have average to high English as an Additional Language pupils and one school has been recognised by their Local Authority as providing best practice in this area; some are in urban settings, others in suburban settings; some in areas of deprivation and others in more affluent areas; each has a different focus area, for example, science, writing, children with disability and/or special educational needs, Forest schools; all work in close partnership with schools local to them. All are committed to providing the very best education they can offer for their local community. All applicants will be working with excellent staff every day and learning from the best! The staff across the partnership have high expectations in terms of standards of work and standards of behaviour; they seek constantly to break down any barriers to learning so that all children have equal access to an exciting curriculum that stimulates and motivates them to be curious about the world and to love learning, and to enable all children to achieve. They are involved in professional development throughout the school year so that new initiatives are swiftly introduced and embedded for the benefit of the children. They take care to look after all the children in their care particularly the most vulnerable and all work closely with the families of these children to ensure better opportunities for the whole family. Each of the schools/academies in the Partnership offers a supportive, friendly and caring environment in which to train.
We are pleased to be working this year with our accrediting partner The University of the West of England. A significant proportion of your training year will be spent in schools, your host school for much of the year and an alternative placement in a different setting; alongside high quality learning at UWE.
It is anticipated that, in the event of job opportunities arising within the Partnership for September 2017, those of you demonstrating high quality teaching skills towards the end of the course would be offered an interview.
What are we looking for?
A successful teacher requires high levels of enthusiasm, creativity, initiative; these coupled with a strong work ethic, professionalism and a drive for self-improvement are amongst the essential personal qualities we seek. Teaching is a highly demanding profession but the demands are far outweighed by the rewards that are received in seeing the difference you make in a young person’s life as you open up the world and all its opportunities to them. We welcome those who are have just completed their first degree, are returning to work or are changing career.
Entry requirements:
Please see the UWE and UCAS websites for full details.
All applicants will have:
· Grade C or above in English, Maths and Science at GCSE (or equivalent) level
· Completed successfully the Professional Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy before they start the course
· A DBS (Disclosure and Barring service) certificate
· Previous experience of working/volunteering in a school
The interview process:
You will be asked to rank the schools/academies in the partnership according to which you would prefer to train at.
You will be invited to attend a group interview where you will be requested to deliver a 5 minute presentation on an artefact that you would use to inspire and English or maths session in your class. This will take place at St Mary’s School in Bradley Stoke.
If you are successful at the group presentation you will be invited to an individual interview at one of your preferred schools/academies.
Induction:
If you are successful at the individual level, we will endeavour to place you in a school high up your preference order, however, in certain circumstances, this may not be possible.
At your host school you will be assigned a school based mentor who will work closely with you and support you throughout the year, including your alternative placement. You will also receive support from UWE.
Assessment:
Assessment for the School Direct programme takes place throughout the year in the form of assessed practical teaching against the Teachers’ Standards and course work assignments set by UWE. Passes in practical teaching and all assignments is required for successful completion of the programme.
Other useful information
Child care
Please check the university and individual school websites for further information
Accommodation
There is a good range of accommodation available locally. However, individual schools may be able to offer overnight accommodation.
Disability access
All the schools/academies in the Partnership are committed to equal access for all. Please check individual websites for more detail on accessibility if you have a specific requirement.
Transport
Full directions to all of our partners can be found on their websites. If you would like more information please email the school/academy direct.
Student facilities
UWE is a vibrant hub of student life and learning and provides a range of student support facilities. Please refer to their websites for details.
Study facilities
As a School Direct trainee UWE and the Partnership will ensure that you benefit from all university student entitlements with regards to study facilities. In addition, in your host schools you will have access to libraries, IT systems and subject based support. You will be expected to engage in professional development activities within your host school.
For any other information please look on the UCAS or UWE websites or email Holy Family School on
Information on all the schools involved in
The Amberley Partnership
Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Swindon
Marlowe Avenue, Park North, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 2PT
Tel: 01793 521933 Fax: 01793 521932
e-mail:
web: www.holyfamily.swindon.sch.uk
Headteacher Miss K Bathe
Holy Family is a larger than average, 4-11 Primary school in Swindon and currently has 306 children on roll. We are located in an area of high need in Swindon and have very high aspirations for all our children. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that inspires our children to be life-long learners. All the staff work together as a team to meet the needs of our diverse school community and we are very proud of our pastoral care for our families. High expectations of ourselves and the children enable the children to achieve high standards. We value professional development and are committed to developing talent at all levels; five of our TAs have been inspired to train to be teachers. We would be delighted to welcome you to our school family so please contact us to find out if we can make your dream come true of being a teacher!
“Holy Family is a highly supportive, warm environment. You feel like you are a member of a family and never left to cope with anything alone.”
“Teaching in a faith school has given me a greater knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith as well as the importance of respecting and valuing the beliefs of others. Working with the children at Holy Family, I have been amazed by the compassion, care and faith the pupils show, not only in RE, but throughout the day. The message to ‘love one another’ is revealed to me every day through the conduct of the children.”
Somerset County Council
Children & Young People’s Directorate
ST GILDAS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
MARY STREET
YEOVIL, SOMERSET. BA21 4EG
Telephone: 01935 423630
Fax: 01935 411048
E-mail:
Headteacher: Mrs D M Evans Website: www.stgildas.somerset.sch.uk
St Gildas is a warm and vibrant school which has been serving the community for over 100 years. We are located in the centre of Yeovil with limited outdoor facilities but enjoy plenty of indoor space as the school once included a secondary department.
We welcome families from all walks of life and many parts of the world. We aim to educate the whole child and to prepare our pupils for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of life. We encourage our children to take responsibility for their own learning and to aim high. We are very proud of our Equalities Award which reflects our commitment to supporting all members of our school community.
St Mary’s, Churchdown
St Mary’s, Churchdown is a single form entry primary school with 215 pupils on roll (from the ages of 4-11 years).
The school serves the parishes of Our Lady’s, Churchdown and St Patrick’s Brockworth and is a feeder school for St Peter’s Catholic High School, Gloucester.
The school is currently graded as Outstanding and has a history of strong academic standards in relation to national averages. We recently gained the Achievement for All Quality Lead status and consider SEND provision, particularly for those pupils with significant needs, a strength of the school.
The significant minority groups within the school are EAL (20%), SEND (10% including 5 statements/EHCPs), MAG&T (30%), Pupil Premium (10%) and Service Pupils (5%).
Our pupils are fantastic to work with and we enjoy very strong support from parents/carers and other stakeholders. St Mary’s is very much at the heart of the local / regional Catholic community but we also have strong partnerships with a range of non-faith schools. We have a strong sporting tradition and competition is something that our pupils really relish!
Liam Jordan, Head Teacher
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Churchdown
01452 714053 www.st-marys-churchdown.gloucs.sch.uk
St Mary’s, Bradley Stoke
St Mary’s Catholic Primary, Bradley Stoke opened in 1999 and since that time has been a highly successful and popular school. We are one of two Catholic Primaries in the parish of Holy Family and we work closely with our partner school, Holy Family Primary.
Our Mission, ‘Celebrating Excellence through our Faith and Learning,’ is truly lived by all at our school. We are a single form entry school with a high percentage of children who speak English as an additional language. We celebrate our cultural diversity and consider it strength of our school. Our aim is a simple one: Children deserve the very best opportunities at school to enable them to learn, develop and to feel happy and safe. Therefore we aim to provide every possible opportunity to nurture this. Our children are delightful. They are happy, polite and enthusiastic learners who create a warm and purposeful atmosphere and enjoy learning. We have a dedicated teaching and support staff team who work tirelessly to continue to improve and ensure that children’s experiences are the best that can be provided.
Mrs Paula Marsh Headteacher
www.stmarysbradleystoke.org.uk
St Francis’ Catholic Primary
St Francis’ Catholic primary is situated in Nailsea, North Somerset, serving the parishes of St Francis in Nailsea and The Immaculate Conception, Clevedon. The school is a single form entry with approximately 200 pupils and an experienced, stable team committed to excellence and ensuring each child achieves its full potential. Children display enthusiasm for their learning, appreciate their friendships and are happy. Emphasis is placed on the development of positive, trusting relationships and pupils feel safe and cared for. Expectations, progress and standards are high in all areas of learning. As well as enabling strong outcomes for pupils in their core learning, children enjoy a range of active experiences across the curriculum, with plenty of music, art and drama.
Mrs Caroline Hostein Headteacher www.st-francis.n-somerset.sch.uk